Woman dies after receiving liposuction at hair treatment centre

Police are investigating the death of a woman who lost consciousness after undergoing liposuction at a private clinic specialising in hair transplants yesterday.

While the cause of death is still under investigation, the case is the latest in a series of tragedies involving medical procedures at private clinics. It prompted calls for the government to act on its promise to tighten regulations on beauty salons and private clinics.

The woman, dance teacher Lee Ka-ying, 32, underwent the fat-reduction procedure at Regrowth Hair Transplant Centre, on the seventh floor of a commercial building in Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Complications emerged at 3.30pm and she was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei. She was declared dead shortly after 5pm.

Kowloon West regional crime unit was investigating but no arrests had been made, a spokesman said. The Health Department will assist in the inquiry.

A police source said the surgery was carried out by Dr Kwan Hau-chi, 32. Lee, who lived in Lam Tin, was accompanied by her husband.

She is believed to have undergone an earlier liposuction procedure to remove fat from her abdomen in April. Yesterday's operation is understood to have been to remove fat from her back.

It is not known whether Lee was given local, regional or general anaesthetic.